Abu Dhabi rolls out smart ramp metering at seven busy road entry points
If you’ve been stuck in traffic on your way to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street in Abu Dhabi, there’s good news, things are about to get a whole lot smoother.
A new high-tech traffic light system has just been switched on at seven key entry points leading to the major road.
The system, called ramp metering, uses AI-powered cameras and smart sensors to monitor traffic and adjust light timings in real time.
Abu Dhabi is now among the first cities in the region to introduce this kind of advanced traffic management.
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What does it do?
In simple terms, the system keeps an eye on how busy the roads are and changes the traffic lights automatically
So if it’s rush hour and there’s a lot of congestion, the lights will control how many cars can enter the main road to avoid a traffic jam. But when traffic is light, more cars can pass through quickly.
It’s also a step forward for a more sustainable transport system in the emirate.
Where is it being used?
You’ll now find these smart traffic lights at the following entry points:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
So if your daily route includes any of those streets, expect to see some changes—and hopefully, shorter travel times!
Why now?
Abu Dhabi’s population has been growing fast. According to the Statistics Centre–Abu Dhabi (SCAD), the city’s population grew by 7.5 per cent in 2024 alone, reaching over 4.1 million people.
That’s a massive 51 per cent increase over the last decade!
With more people and more cars on the road, smarter traffic solutions like this are key to keeping the city moving.
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